International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN: 2329-9797 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 098-103, February, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Extension communication channels’ usage and preference by farmers in Benue State, Nigeria

*Eguoko E. Vincent, Dwarha T. Kenneth and Olu T. M

Department of Agricultural Extension and Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 10 January, 2015

Abstract

The study assessed farmers’ use and preference of extension communication channels in Benue State, Nigeria. A sample of 316 farmers was selected through a stratified random sampling technique and interview schedule was used in eliciting information from them. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analyses. Interpersonal communication channels were generally found to be more available, accessible and used by the farmers than the mass media to obtain information on improved farm technologies. Relatives/friends/neighbours constituted the most regularly available, accessible and used interpersonal channels although extension agents and television were mentioned by the farmers as the most preferred interpersonal channel and mass medium, respectively. Chi-square analysis shows that there is significant relationship between frequency of communication channels use by farmers and their educational level, sex, farm size and farming experience. It is recommended that rural radio booster stations and community rural television stations are established to feature special programmes targeted at rural farmers. To ensure regular availability and accessibility of extension agents (the farmers most preferred channel), efforts should be made to employ more extension agents.

Key words: Farmers, extension, communication channels, usage, preference.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN: 2329-9797 Vol. 3 (2), pp. 091-097, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of occupational health and safety hazards in Trinidad, West Indies and implications for the Agriculture sector

*¹Narendra S. Khan, S. C. Mohan¹ and Satyait A. K²

¹Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India.

²Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India.

*Corresponding Authors Email:[email protected]

Accepted 10 December, 2014

Abstract

Studies have shown that Trinidad has an aged farming population. Young persons are not entering the sector. As such, older farmers will continue to be the backbone of Trinidad’s agricultural sector. There is urgent need for focus to be placed on improving the state of occupational health and safety within this sector. This study sought to determine farmers’ knowledge, attitudes and perceptions towards occupational health and safety issues in agriculture and recommend actions to reduce/prevent health and safety hazards in agriculture. A total of 100 small-scale commercial-oriented vegetable farmers from ten of the most populated agricultural pockets across Trinidad were surveyed as part of this study. The results of this study indicated that farmers had overall good knowledge, fairly positive attitudes but strong negative perceptions towards occupational health and safety issues in agriculture. Gender was not a significant factor on knowledge, attitude or perception levels. Additionally, attitude varied significantly based on characteristics of farmers (age and job type) and communication efforts by extension. This study validates the need for more emphasis to be placed on occupational health and safety within Trinidad’s agricultural sector, which can be achieved through directed programs, policies and practices by government and its related agencies.

Key words: Occupational health and safety, Agriculture, knowledge, small-scale farmers, Trinidad.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension  ISSN 2329-9797 Vol. 3 (1), pp. 083-090, January, 2015. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Farmers' perceptions about the impacts of human-wildlife conflict on rural livelihoods and natural resource management efforts in Cheha Woreda of Guraghe Zone, Ethiopia

Dagne Mojoa , Jessica Rothschuh and Mehari Alebachew

Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Holeta Research Center, P.O. Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Corresponding author. [email protected]

Abstract

We conducted a household survey, supplemented with group discussions, to identify problematic wild animals and to assess the effects of Human-Wildlife Conflicts (HWC) in rural Ethiopia. Our findings show that monkeys, porcupines, apes, antelopes, warthogs and wild pigs are the major crop raiders in the area, while hyenas, foxes, pythons, eagles and ratel are the most common livestock predators. About 93% of the households reported that they faced damages to their property by at least one of these animals. Additionally, most of the respondent reported believing that wild animals have been contributing to the shortages of food in their family and affecting their natural resource management efforts. We conclude that HWC and farmers' perceptions of conflict in the area have had and continue to have remarkable impacts on the social, economic and environmental wellbeing in the area. Hence, different management options must be adopted to mediate the effects and minimize future conflicts

Key words: Human-Wildlife Conflict, perception, livelihood, natural resource, Ethiopia.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN: 2329-9797 Vol. 2 (2), pp. 077-082, February, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Adoption of improved box hive technology: Analysis of smallholder farmers in Northern Ethiopia

Belets Gebremichael^* and Berhanu Gebremedhin**

*Department of Agribusiness and Value Chain Management, Samara University, Ethiopia.

**Post-Doctoral Scientist-Agricultural Economist at the International Livestock Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 9 January, 2014

Abstract

This study was initiated to analyze factors affecting decision and intensity to adopt improved box hive technology in Ahferom district of northern Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data sources were utilized. Descriptive analysis and econometric (Double-hurdle) model were employed using SPSS-16 and STATA-11, respectively. Of the 130 sample beekeepers, 54.6% and 45.4% were adopters and non-adopters, respectively. Of the adopters’ category 67.6% hold both traditional and improved hives, the rest 32.4% hold only improved box hive. The mean number of improved box hives was 3.10 hives for adopters and 1.69 hives for entire sample with maximum of 11. The first hurdle result indicated that other off/non-farm activity, beekeeping experience, distance to market and frequency of extension contact were significantly affect adoption decision of improved box hive. Moreover, the second hurdle result revealed that other off/non-farm activity, frequency of extension contact, credit access, livestock holding, age, distance to all weather roads were found to be significantly affect intensity of adoption. Therefore, these significant factors in adoption of improved box hive technology should be considered by policy-makers and planners of governmental and NGOs in setting their policies and strategies of honey production improvement interventions.

Key words: Adoption, apiculture, improved box hive, smallholder beekeepers, double-hurdle model.

International Journal of Agricultural Economics and Extension ISSN: 2329-9797 Vol. 2 (1), pp. 068-076, January, 2014. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Factors affecting Farmers willingness to pay for improved irrigation service: A case study of Bontanga Irrigation Scheme in Northern Ghana

Hudu Zakaria^1*, Afishata Mohammed Abujaja¹, Hamza Adam², Alhassan Y. Nabila³ and Imoro Mohammed³

¹Department of Extension, rural development and Gender Studies, University for Development Studies, Ghana.

²Department of communication, Innovation and Technology, University for Development Studies, Ghana

³Faculty of Agriculture, University for Development Studies, Ghana.

^*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

Accepted 06 December, 2013

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to examine factors affecting farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improved irrigation services at the Bontanga Irrigation Scheme.  There are 13 communities in the scheme’s catchment area of which Six (6) communities were randomly selected and 113 farmers interviewed with a semi structure questionnaires. Contingent Valuation Technique was adopted to estimate farmers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for improved irrigation services. The mean WTP for improved irrigation per ha per season was GHS 22.92 ($10.51), far below the GHS 50.00 ($22.94) proposed by management. The study found age and maintenance culture of irrigation facilities to be significant in influencing farmers’ willingness to pay at 10% significant level. Also on-scheme income as ratio of household income and off-scheme income were significant in influencing farmers’ willingness to pay at both 5% and 10% level of significance. The study recommends that any proposed increase in Irrigation Service Charges (ISCs) should be taken into consideration the mean WTP of 22.92GHS. Also, management of the scheme should put in place a comprehensive routine maintenance for facilities within the scheme to ensure regular delivery of water to merit farmers increase financial commitment towards sustainable management of the irrigation scheme.

Key words: Farmers, Irrigation, on-Scheme, off-scheme, Willingness, Pay and Bontanga.